Liverpool have been in great form in the calendar year 2013, and have impressed fans and neutrals alike with their playing style. They have routinely dispatched teams at home, and Anfield is once again becoming a fortress. Here’s a look at the best eleven players that have played for the Reds in 2013.

Goalkeeper: Simon Mignolet

Mignolet arrived in the summer with high expectations, and immediately pushed out fan-favorite Pepe Reina to Napoli in a loan move. He instantly endeared himself with the fans by saving a penalty on his debut. Although he recently made a couple of high profile errors at Manchester City and Chelsea, he has vowed to give his best, and he put in a good display against Hull to keep a clean sheet.

Right Back: Glenn Johnson

Johnson has had an injury plagued start to this season, but has since then been a constant on the right side of defense, apart from the occasional outing on the left. He has done well going forward, and has created chances for the team. Although Andre Wisdom has done well as a right back in 2013, Johnson’s experience and offensive qualities see him take the slot. He is currently nursing an ankle injury but he’ll undoubtedly be crucial in the run-in to this season.

Centre Back: Daniel Agger

Daniel Agger may have lost out on a regular starting place this season, but he had a great second half of the season and has been good when he has played. His ability to move forward with the ball is an asset considering the way Liverpool play, and he has looked dangerous from set plays this season scoring one and assisting another. Defensively however, he has looked vulnerable from corners and has on a couple of occasions been responsible for losing his man. His comfort on the ball and suitability to Liverpool’s style means that he get the nod ahead of Martin Skrtel. Agger left the field against Oldham with a calf injury and could face a spell on the sidelines.

Centre Back: Mamadou Sakho

The Frenchman arrived from PSG this summer as Liverpool’s marquee signing and he immediately slotted into the Reds defense. He is strong in the tackle and has great physical presence in the box, and while he may look ungainly with the ball at his feet at times, he is able to pick out a pass. A couple of poor second half showings should not mar what has been an excellent debut season for the 23-year old.

Left Back: Jose Enrique

Enrique is more of an automatic choice in this role, despite spending a significant amount of time in the infirmary of late. Summer arrival Aly Cissokho has been disappointing, prompting the need for manager Brendan Rodger to play youngster Jon Flanagan out of position at left back. With Enrique’s imminent return in a couple of weeks, fans will definitely be relieved considering some of the excellent movement and delivery the Spaniard provides from the left.

Defensive Midfielder: Lucas Leiva

The Brazilian is the only truly defensive-minded player in the Liverpool midfield and makes the position his own. He may have lost a yard of pace following his knee surgery in 2012, but his sense of positioning is what makes him so good. He is often at the right place at the right time to snuff out the danger before it can happen, but the lack of pace has been exposed at times. His distribution is as good as it gets with a passing accuracy of 91% this season, and he keeps ticking things over, cycling possession from the back.

Central Midfielder: Steven Gerrard

No Liverpool team is complete without the Liverpool skipper, and he has been absolutely outstanding this season in a slightly deeper role. Although the lung-bursting runs are no longer there owing to the aged legs, Gerrard can still pick a pass, and has created 40 chances this season in 16 league appearances. Like old wine, he seems to be getting better and better, and dropping deeper has allowed him more time and possession to dictate the play. He has just returned from injury, and will look to continue his form into the New Year.

Central Midfielder: Jordan Henderson

If there was an award of most improved player, it would undoubtedly go to Henderson. With every passing day, he looks like he deserves a starting spot in the lineup, and he has been the driving force behind many of Liverpool’s great performances this season. His ability to make late runs into the box has given numerous headaches to defenders, and his understanding with Suarez is only growing. The chance of a seat on the plane to Brazil with the England squad will undoubtedly be an added motivation.

Attacking Midfielder: Philippe Coutinho

The Brazilian has been an inspired signing for the club, and has taken to the Premier League like a fish does to water. His intricate footwork and the vision has wowed fans and pundits alike, and he has struck up an excellent partnership with Daniel Sturridge since both of them arrived in January of last year. While his form seemed to have tailed off slightly from last season, the performance against Hull City last week showed exactly why the manager rates him so highly.

Striker: Daniel Sturridge

Sturridge has been scoring goals ever since his arrival from Chelsea last season- 19 goals in 26 league appearances. He has missed the last month due to an injury, but he expected to return later this week, and will form a mouth-watering forward line with Luis Suarez. Their understanding seemed to have gotten better this season, with both the strikers scoring goals in tandem, something the fans will surely be eagerly waiting for.

Striker: Luis Suarez

Apart from the 10-match ban for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic, the Uruguayan has had an outstanding year in 2013, and since returning from the ban, he has scored 20 goals in only 15 league appearances. Every time he is on the pitch, he looks like scoring goals, and he seems to be relishing playing at Anfield. Having had the chance to lead the team in Gerrard’s absence, he has shown a willingness to guide youngsters in the team, and that will only benefit the club and the youngsters in the team.

The Formation

Coutinho has a tendency to drift out into the left wing, and some of his best performances have come when he has been cutting inside from the left. Henderson takes up a position on the right, and covers for the lack of proper right winger by moving to the right when needed. Sturridge also has a tendency to peel off onto the right wing to take on the fullbacks.